Lotti Golden is sort of the Joni Mitchell of soul music. I guess that would make her Laura Nyro. So maybe it's better to describe Lotti Golden as kind of like Laura Nyro. She was a singer-songwriter who dabbled in soul music long enough to record one album in 1968. It was an autobiographical tale of her introduction to life in New York's Bohemian community.

I haven't heard the whole thing but I do have this single which features her cover of Mitch Ryder's "Sock It to Me" on the A-side and this lovely little gem on the B-Side. It sound like the Ronettes for the hippie generation.

Lotti Golden went on to become a rock journalist and then a pioneer in electronic music in the early 80s. Kind of cool. It's her birthday today.

I think i know the Ronnettes inspred b-side you referenced. It is "Annabelle with Bells." Golden sounds great on this gem. It is a good thing, kismet, if you will, that "Motor-Cycle" was recorded. It was radical even for the 60's. Glad we have it-- like we have Jim Carrol's "Basketball Diaries."

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Charlotte S.

12/7/2014 10:39:01 am

Great pick! Lotti Golden's "Motor-Cycle" released by Atlantic (1969 I believe is the correct year) is a masterpiece beyond description. It captures the Zeitgeist of the 60's, from Andy Warhol's factory and hippie chic to an intelligent spin on sex, drugs and rock 'n roll.

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J. Sorina

12/7/2014 10:57:45 am

Lotti Golden an excellent pick. It's interesting that Atlantic released a cover as her single, when she had all these amazing songs on her debut LP, "Motor-Cycle." Golden did a great job on "Sock It to Me Baby/It's Your Thing" but there was no way that cover could be reflective of the artistry she demonstrates on the album. I agree the B side (a song that was left off the album) is a gem. My theory is that Atlantic didn't know how to promote Ms. Golden, a Laura Nyro/Joni Mitchell fusion with a heavy dose of R&B and down home soul.

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Jackson S

3/2/2015 12:29:29 pm

You are cool to post this about Lotti Golden. In the 80's she resurfaced and created something very important: new music. She was one of the progenitors of early electro hip hop, appears in blogs and several books about her contribution, most important: Warp 9. In 2014 an article in the UK newspapaer the Guardian, tells it like it is: http://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/may/14/the-101-strangest-records-on-spotify-warp-9-its-a-beat-wave

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Jackson S

3/23/2016 07:42:59 pm

Hey, guess what? Lotti Golden's single will be reissued with great new cover art and remastering for Record Store Day, 2016! http://www.recordstoreday.com/SpecialRelease/8596
The B side, Annabelle with Bells, is a wonerful fusion of urban poetry, girl group moxie and teen angst informed by her late '60s experience in NYC's East Village.

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DJ Action Slacks

I'm excited to highlight some of my favorite records in a variety of genres (soul, R&B, classic country, rockabilly, oldies, garage rock, etc). These won't all necessarily be "dance" records per se. They will all be records that I believe deserve a special listen. I simply love good music, rare or not. Hopefully you will spend some time here and love music right along with me! Lets give this a shot!Portland Soul DJPortland Classic Country DJPortland R&B DJPortland Rock 'n' Soul DJPortland Party Producer